KIGALI HUB

Today marks my 9th day in Kigali. I’ve had a hectic 2 years so my family sent me to rest (**ndasetse amasaro arasesekara**). I am spending time with my favorite people in the world who are feeding my soul. As if that was not enough, my sister took me on “a getaway within the getaway…” We are in the East overlooking lac Muhazi, walking around munda zero living like ama héros. (Today, Sandrine rescued a baby lizard that was about to drown – 3X, because it kept going back in the water. Is this how God feels? Sheesh…)

Africa and America are a world apart. Here, the dire economic reality is of course visible and we pray God continues to enable us to contribute to the development of our nations. Still, stress is not as palpable as in America. People seem to be more fulfilled. I long wondered why? Here too, bills are paid and inflation is felt so why are there seemingly less instances of mal-être? I finally figured out what I think is the key differentiator: socialization.

The West has a very individualistic approach to life: Me, Me, Me. Though I try, I don’t know my neighbors, for example. The majority of my time is spent in front of a computer in an office, I go from place to place in a car, there are no passerbys to greet. People don’t do home visits and there is not community at large to belong to. (To be fair, this approach can be fun too — short term— I do what I want, when I want.)

In contrast, Africa is a communal space. Though you try, people will not stop talking to you. In the street, unprovoked, a passerby tells me “This your dark skin is rare, we all bleach now my sister.” (Which is a separate calamity we will touch on later…)At the hair salon, a lady shares some conspiracy on how the metal horse at the Olympic Games represents the end times. While this mode of life gets weird quick, it seems to be one of the keys to living a fulfilled life. Man is not meant to live alone. The idea is the community’s survival is necessary for the individuals’ survival. Interesting to note that African Americans have maintained these values despite hundreds of years out of natural habitat. (** bows down in deep admiration**)

In any case, we are grateful for the opportunity to have seen both worlds. And the money is sweet so… We’ll have to “me,myself,I” for as long as it takes. In gratitude, always!

XOXO